Manchester’s Hidden Gems: Museums not to be Missed

April 2, 2013

Sometimes, a stay in a bustling city involves exploring the major sights and sampling some of the entertainment options while you’re there, and ordinarily, a trip to Manchester is no different. With plenty of popular attractions on offer, including the Trafford Centre, Chill Factore and the Museum of Science and Industry, it’s sometimes difficult to take a step back and explore museums off the beaten track; places that not every tourist may choose to see. In Manchester, there’s plenty of them too.

Heading to the North West for a night or two? Plenty of affordable accommodation is available that places you in the heart of the action – you can find out more at Travelodge’s website and choose a hotel to suit you. From there, take a look at the options below for some of Manchester’s hidden gems that would be ideal itinerary fillers for a stint in the city.

The Jewish Museum

Helping to chart the history of the Jewish community within the city of Manchester, the Jewish Museum is housed within one of the city’s original synagogues and displays various artefacts, documents and exhibitions that help visitors gain insight into Judaism.

It can be found on Cheetham Hill Road and welcomes visitors of all ages throughout the year.

Museum of Transport

Just north of the city centre, the Museum of Transport takes a look into the public transport history of Greater Manchester, including one of England’s largest collections of restored buses, coaches and trams.

You can find exhibitions such as the prototype Metrolink tram, a Victorian horse drawn bus as well as various items that can be seen being used by Stan the Conductor in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This museum, which aims to promote the heritage of the city, can be found in Cheetham Hill.

Greater Manchester Police Museum

You may be familiar with law enforcement today, but policing during the Victorian era was very different. The Greater Manchester Police Museum offers visitors a chance to see a typical Victorian police cell, which on busy nights were packed with up to 12 felons, as well as a model courtroom where prisoners would have been sentenced.

Exhibits include a plethora of historic equipment including uniforms and vehicles, as well as examples of forensic science, such as early fingerprinting techniques.

The museum is also home to a huge collection of archived documents that can be seen on appointment. You can find the museum on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter, in the heart of Manchester.

These are just three examples of the various museums on offer in Manchester. With plenty more attractions to visit, including the MOSI, Manchester Museum, the Imperial War Museum North and of course, the infamous Lowry which oozes art and culture from its very pores, you can be sure that a stay in Manchester can be as jam-packed as you want it to be. Take a look at the museums and attractions on offer and find out more at Travelodge’s website where you can book a budget-friendly hotel for your time in the city.